Telegraph key



Jan. 28, 1941. M, CROSBY 2,230,105

TELEGRAPH KEY Filed Sept. 30, 1938 Fly. 2

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELEGRAPHKEY Murray G. Crosby, Riverhead, N. Y., assignor to Radio Corporation ofAmerica, a corporation of Delaware Application September 30, 1938,Serial No. 232,498

lClaim. (Cl. 178-401) This invention relates to a new and novel 6 andconnected by means of a flexible lead a pneumatic telegraph key or othertype of control to a terminal stud 10 which is provided with a key whichmay be inserted in the mouth of a binding nut l2 and is supported outfrom the end human being and operated by pressure from the of bowl 4 bymeans of stud It and suitable insu- 5 lungs and mouth cavities. latingwashers 20 and 2!. A metallic contact or An object of this invention isto simplify and arm 9 has a contact member mounted on its unimprove atelegraph key of the pneumatic type. derside facing contact 8. The endof member 9 Another object of this invention is to provide substantiallynear its point of support is proa new and novel control key which givesireevided with terminal lugs H which provide elec- 10 dom of movement ofthe hands for other operatrical connection to an external circuit which10 tions, and also allows control of circuits by perthe device of thisinvention is to control. Memso-ns who have lost the use of one or morelimbs. her 9 is insulated from stud H) by insulating A feature of thisinvention is the novel ar- Washers 2t and 2|. rangement of a fluidchamber having a mem- Figs. 3 and 4 show another embodiment which braneenclosing a portion thereof with contact uses a stem and chamber madefor the same 15 means adjacent the membrane whereby the depurpose butnot following the shape of the device vice is actuated by pressurewithin the chamber shown by Fig. l and comprises a mouth piece from thelungs and mouth cavities of a human till, a stem m2 having a. passageI03 connecting being and has the general appearance of that to an airchamber I05 in bowl I04. Contact of an ordinary smokers pipe. I03 iscemented to member I06 and is connected 20 I have found out through myclose contact to a metallic support arm III] by means of a andexperience with communication telegraph flexible lead Hill. A metallicstrip I09 has the operators that a control key of my invention othercontact mounted upon it and is secured to makes possible asmootheroperation of telegraph bowl I94 by means of a mounting which comsendingthan is possible by the ordinary type of prises an insulating bushingH4, washers H5, 25

hand key. Also, the speed of control of a key of nut H6 and terminalstud Hi. my invention is greater than that of the ordinary The otherembodiment shown by Fig. 5 is gentelegraph key. This smoothness andquickness erally similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, except of control ismade possible by the fact that the for the alternative arrangementwherein conswitching is controlled by the movement of the tact 9 issecured to a cover or a metallic cross 30 human tongue which may beactuated at a rapid member 6. A piston 20 has contact 8 mounted ate, onit which is connected to binding post 25 This invention will best beunderstood by rethrough spring 22. Gasket 28 makes the piston ferring tothe accompanying drawing, in which: air-tight and stops 29 provide aresting position Fig. 1 is an elevation of my improved key; when the keyis ofi. Connection is made to 35 Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1; crossmember 6 and contact 9 by means of bind- Fig. 3 is an elevation ofanother embodiment ing post assembly 26. of this invention; While only afew embodiments of this im- Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 3; and provedcontrol key are shown, it is to be dis- 4 Fig. 5 is a section similar toFigs. 1 and 2, tinctly understood that this invention should showinganother modification for actuating the not be limited to the precisedevices indicated. diaphragm. by means of a piston. What is claimed .is:

Referring now in detail to the drawing, Figs. 1 A contact making devicecomprising a fluid and 2 show a key of this invention which is chamber,a membrane enclosing aportion of said similar to an ordinary smokingpipe and comchamber and responsive to pressure within said 45 prises amouth piece I and stem 2 having an air chamber, a stem having fluidcommunication passage 3, which is in fluid communication with with saidchamber, the diameter of said chamber a bowl 4 having an air chamber 5over which is being considerably greater than that of said stretched athin flexible membrane or diaphragm stem, and contact means adjacentsaid mem- B, and preferably consists of any suitable matebrane andadapted to be engaged thereby when 50 rial, such a balloon rubber,leather or the like. pressure is applied to said stem.

Membrane 6 is secured in place by a thin clamp ring 6a. Contact 8 iscemented to membrane MURRAY G. CROSBY.

